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New food guide throws down gauntlet on junk food

<p>For the first time since its debut in the 1940s, Canada's Food Guide includes a paragraph on avoiding junk food — though not under that name. Tucked away near the end of the revered gospel of good eating is a paragraph suggesting that people wishing to maintain good body weight should limit "foods and beverages high in calories, fat, sugar or salt."<br /></p>

For the first time since its debut in the 1940s, Canada's Food Guide includes a paragraph on avoiding junk food— though not under that name. Tucked away near the end of the revered gospel of good eating is a paragraph suggesting that people wishing to maintain good body weight should limit "foods and beverages high in calories, fat, sugar or salt."

The sentence got an enthusiastic response from Yoni Freedhoff, medical director of the Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa, and an outspoken critic of the guide.

"Kudos for them," Freedhoff said. "Indeed they have dropped the gauntlet on junk food and that is a first."

"Certainly the food industry was at the table when there was discussion about the key messaging and how to communicate that to consumers because the food industry does interface with consumer a great deal, and therefore their advice on that particular component would be valued."

Corby said it would be a daunting task to give calorie counts for all foods, and most people don't know how many calories they need.

The Canadian Medical Association praised the food guide in general terms but criticized its approach on obesity.

The new guide was developed over four years of consultations with more than 7,000 dieticians, nutritionists, scientists, doctors and public health experts.

It is the second-most requested government document — after income tax forms.